Mind maps are not strange to students or professionals, as they are making them daily. Mind mapping is a great information management technique that allows you to visualize information efficiently. However, not everyone can draw it easily, which is why having a drawing assistant like EdrawMind will always help you during this process. It has readymade templates, customization options, and a detailed toolkit to help you down the road.
Wondering how to create appealing mind maps that can immediately grab your audience’s attention? Here is how!
What is Mind Mapping?
Mind Mapping is an ancient trick for organizing your thoughts in a 2-D spider web layout so that it is easier for the viewer to comprehend and analyze them. It is an efficient way to boost creativity and memory so that complicated ideas seem easier and more understandable. It is used by millions of people daily to improve their focus and mind concentration.
Why is it Better than Outlines?
Everyone, be it academicians or marketers, prefer mind maps over outlines and lists, partly because they allow you to visualize data in an easier and more efficient way. Here are some reasons why people like these diagrams.
- It is faster to enter information in these diagrams
- Creating this is less time-consuming than outlines and lists
- They can accommodate large chunks of data in an understandable way
- They can display images and symbols
- Human brain easily comprehends the formatting of mind maps
- They are used as problem-solving techniques
How to Create Mind Maps Like a Pro Using EdrawMind?
Before you dive right in how to make a mind map on EdrawMind, make sure to log in with your account. If you don’t have an account, create one in minutes.
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Create a Core Idea
The first step to creating any mind map is to think of a central idea. For this, open the New Mind Map button from the main menu and type the central idea in the middle box on the editing panel. Personalizing is another great idea before you enter it into the map structure. You can use a keyphrase for this diagram. Also, this is the foundation of your map, so make sure to give it extra attention. You can set a separate font and color for this box.
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Branch It Out
The next step is to branch out the mind map. This is the most creative part of making a mind map, and you need to stay flexible. It simply means that you add as many relevant topics as possible. However, it is equally important to maintain a balance between these boxes. All you need to do is use the top center toolkit and add subtopics in the outline.
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It’s Time to Add Keywords
Now that you have set the subtopics, it is time to make them easily understandable. Keywords and small phrases can do this job. They help to summarize a large chunk of information in the box. Hence, it is pretty obvious that you will be able to build more associations by doing so.
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Differentiate Categories with Colors
Now, add color codes to differentiate between each category of topics in your mind map. This will make it easy for the human mind to comprehend the information. Use the right-side information panel to add colors. You can also set the layout and change themes from this section.
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Add Images
Once you are all done, give your mind map some final finishes. EdrawMind has its own customized clipart that allows you to add images and icons to your mind map, such as food, animals, foods, and home. All you need to do is go to the right-side information panel Clipart section and drag your preferred symbol on the editing panel.
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Export It to Your Device
Voila, your mind map is ready. Finally, go to the top left corner of the editing panel and click Export > Your Preferred Option to save the mind map on your device. You can also import it directly to other applications like Word, Powerpoint, and PDF Viewer.
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Share it With Others
Not sure whether the map you have made is attractive enough? Want to get some feedback on your diagram? Click the Share button on the top-right corner and give access to friends and families you want to get feedback from. The good thing about this feature is that the creator is in control of who sees what.
What Makes Your Mind Map Stand Out: Some Useful Tips
Displaying information in a mind map format is one thing, but carefully creating a mind map that immediately catches your attention is another. This is why you must know some tips and tricks that can improve the effectiveness of your mind map. So, let’s get in.
- Keep it Concise: Using short sentences and keyphrases can summarize a large chunk of information, leaving you so much space to add other subtopics. It can also help the viewers understand the concept better.
- Make it Simple: A simple layout and correct alignment for a mind map must be your first priority. It is equally important to maintain a hierarchy and order the topics based on priority. This is because doing so will aid human mind in understanding all the topics easily.
- Add Popping Colors: Don’t know how to draw boundaries between subtopics in your mind map? Use sharp colors for each category, and this is more than enough.
- Use Images and Icons: EdrawMind has a complete clipart section that allows you to add images and icons throughout your mind map.
Conclusion
Mind maps are a great way to organize thoughts and information in an effective way. They have immense potential for human minds to improve their memory and boost productivity in a business setting. Not sure where to start your mind mapping from? Give EdrawMind a try. Its basic layout and extensive toolkit work best for newbies.
